The Tools in Classroom: Technology Success Stories series is written by the Academic Technology Department of the library at City University of Seattle. Our goal is to share how our faculty are using technology in the classroom so that others can gain insight into ways they can help their own practice.

1. Tools in the Classroom: Technology Success Stories
Practitioner Vignette #1
Mark Hoover & Tegrity Lecture CaptureMark Hoover & Tegrity Lecture CaptureMark Hoover & Tegrity Lecture CaptureMark Hoover & Tegrity Lecture Capture
In the ClassroomIn the ClassroomIn the ClassroomIn the Classroom
Mark Hoover uses Tegrity Lecture Capture to help his students master
difficult concepts in his business accounting classes. When they cover a
particularly complex topic during a face-to-face meeting, Mark will follow up
with a Tegrity video that demonstrates an idea or explicates a set of calculations.
For example, Mark can explain where each number comes from as he adds them
to an Excel spreadsheet. He can also describe the formulas the program
computes, what they represent, and what they are used for in the business
world. Students appreciate that they can watch these videos as many times as
they need giving them ample opportunity to fully comprehend concepts they
had difficulty grasping during lecture. They now regularly request videos when
covering difficult topics in class. Mark often responds by making a video that
night and then emailing the class to let them know they can find it in their
Blackboard course.
In the MakingIn the MakingIn the MakingIn the Making
Mark likes to make his videos at night, when the light is less harsh in his
home office. The amount of time it takes him to make a Tegrity capture equals
about three times the length of the final video, since Mark will do multiple
takes of the tutorial until he is happy with the results. When asked if it is
difficult to redo the video several times, he answered, “Not at all.” Because
Mark is describing complex formulas and ideas, he wants to make sure he comes
across clearly. He also makes sure to keep his videos less than 10 minutes in
length. “I think in the long ones, you lose them,” Mark says. If a concept
requires more than 10 minutes to fully explain, he breaks it into segments and
creates multiple videos. Mark approaches each recording not with a script, but
with a clear idea of which techniques he will demonstrate. Then, he simply
describes each step as he walks his students through a process in Excel.
Getting StartedGetting StartedGetting StartedGetting Started
Mark started using Tegrity Lecture Capture this quarter and says he
picked it up quickly, with a little help from his son from his previous experience
making Christmas card videos for his grandson. Mark first heard of Tegrity
Lecture Capture from the Library and LRC’s academic technology coordinator,
Matt Lechner. Mark expressed a desire to spend less face-to-face class time
lecturing, and Matt thought Tegrity would fit this need. After talking more
about what Mark wanted to accomplish, Matt added Tegrity Lecture Capture to
Mark’s Blackboard courses and gave him access to a video creation practice
space. Matt then sent Mark instructions about how to get started and let Mark
know he was always available for additional assistance.
Other than a computer and a quiet place to record, the only equipment
Mark needed to get started was a webcam with a built-in microphone. He
purchased a Logitech HD Webcam C270 for about $40, which he says works
fine for his purposes. He remembers that Tegrity was easy to get started with,
though he had to do several takes before he was happy with the results. Now,
he has the process down to no more than three takes per video.
SummarySummarySummarySummary
Mark uses Tegrity to:Mark uses Tegrity to:Mark uses Tegrity to:Mark uses Tegrity to:
• Walk his students
through difficult
calculations in
Excel spreadsheets
• Help students
understand
complex ideas by
providing a video
they can rewatch as
necessary
What’s needed:What’s needed:What’s needed:What’s needed:
• Computer
• Access to Tegrity
Lecture Capture
• Webcam with built
-in microphone
Mark keeps videos
short (less than 10
minutes) to hold
student attention
Production time
generally runs three
times the length of the
final video
Mark Hoover